Bacteria is essential for good compost, air is essential for bacteria and lest you need reminding, compost should be essential for everybody, given that some 60 per cent of household waste could be composted rather than dumped in landfill. All of which means that the aerator is an essential bit of green living kit.

However, it should also be remembered that composting is a quirky business, sometimes more of an art than a science. Your heap or bin can easily be the wrong consistency, which is where the aerator comes in. Simply pull it through your heap or bin, so that the two folding arms work like an anchor, bringing some of the contents to the surface, and mixing in air to kick-start the fermentation process.

The 'smart' bit comes in because the aerator can also detect whether your composter is working correctly and producing enough heat. It will change colour, from dark purple to bright pink, when heat is sensed at the optimum 35C. The aerator is just one of many devices on sale from British Eco, which aims to make greener living a reality.

Nick Pringle, a former environmental graduate, set up the site in 2002. When you're not tending your compost heap you could always sign up to one of his 'green experiences', which include whale watching in Cornwall, and a Shepherds walk in Northumberland.